Triple Threat Talents in Superstar

“Tell me what you think about your friends at the top.Who’d you think besides yourself’s the pick of the crop?Buddha, was he where it’s at? Is he where you are?Could Mohammed move a mountain, or was that just PR?Did you mean to die like that? Was that a mistake, orDid you know your messy death would be a record breaker?”

Lyric from Jesus Christ Superstar sung by Judas

Ensemble. (Photo: Pamela Raith)

This is the most thrilling first act of Jesus Christ Superstar with its cast of actor musicians, people who can play an instrument, dance, sing and act superbly.  The electric guitar riffs of the overture and the first number “Heaven on Their Minds” are compelling and involving in this, maybe the best of Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musicals.

In the darkened, small wood-lined space of the Watermill Theatre where the interior has been set out like a church, there is light breaking through a rose window and candles in perpendicular arched niches with wooden hammer beams at roof level. The closeness of the cast each carrying an instrument gives a powerful intensity to the boldness of the music.  It was as if I could feel how synchronised, how close the company were in commitment to the production, how well they work together.   

Ensemble. (Photo: Pamela Raith)

This musical has always given me some understanding as to why Judas (Max Alexander-Taylor) resents Jesus.  He sings “You’ve begun to matter more than the things you say!”.  “What’s the Buzz” conveys the way rumours spread through an anticipatory crowd of followers with Anjali Mehra’s excitingly choreographed hand and knee actions.  Judas’s song of resentment and jealousy has a great contrast with the love and caring shown by Parisa Shahmir as Mary sweetly singing “Everything’s Alright” and she is truly exceptional. 

I always love the entrance of the Jewish spiritual leaders, Annas with some of the stand out musical verses (Alexander Zane) and, with his gloriously deep register, Caiaphas (Olubenga Adelekan, an impressive bass guitarist and graduate of King’s Cambridge where he sang in the famous college choir).  I enjoyed the way Adelekhan changes characters from one of the ensemble with his hair tied up to letting it down as the severe looking priest. There is of course some costume change as well but the change of hair really works to differentiate his parts. 

Parisa Shahmir as Mary and Michael Kholwadia as Jesus (Photo: Pamela Raith)

Paul Hart has slickly directed this musical with a cast of 18 working well together, the cut off sides of the stage being used for those when just their instrument playing is needed.  These 18 are so talented to produce the sound of a professional orchestra that I am in awe.  Credit also to orchestrator Stuart Morley for adapting the score for the cast’s instruments. 

Designer David Woodhead’s black themed costumes work well with small modifications but sadly the production photographs haven’t brought these design elements to the fore.  

Act One has two other outstanding moments in the sung through score with two songs you will sing after the show.  “Hosanna” and Mary’s sincere “I Don’t Know How to Love Him”.  After the interval, the audience moves outside to the Watermill’s lawned garden ringed by trees, to assemble around the fire pit.  It was bright sunshine when I saw it in July but by September after 8pm will be darkening which will change the atmosphere for “The Last Supper” and “Gethsemane” and “The Arrest”.  Michael Kholwadia has the serious persona needed for Jesus and his high notes are strong and meaningful, “Just Watch Me Die”.  Many of the cast have black uniforms to arrest Jesus after that fateful kiss, and on the roof top and fire escape, Annas and Caiaphas observe.

Michael Kholwadia as Jesus (Photo: Pamela Raith)

We return to the inside theatre for the tragic finale but first there is light relief with Samuel Morgan-Grahame’s Herod in full leather and bling SM gear for full comedy, which always leaves me feeling uncomfortable.  I suppose I’m too involved in Jesus’s Story to want to laugh.  We are too close to the flogging and crucifixion but we see Pilate (Christian Edwards) unable to make the mob rethink. 

This adventurous and brilliant production has full five stars from Theatrevibe, the site that doesn’t do stars.  I just wish I lived closer to Newbury for its outstanding musicals, Barnum which Bill Kenwright is to tour starring Lee Mead and Piaf which I saw last.   

Michael Kholwadia as Jesus (Photo: Pamela Raith)

Musical Numbers

Act One

Overture

Heaven On Their Minds

What’s The Buzz

Strange Thing, Mystifying

Everything’s Alright

This Jesus Might Die

Hosanna

Simon Zealotes / Poor Jerusalam

Pilate’s Dream

The Temple

Everything’s Alright (Reprise)

I Don’t Know How To Love Him

Damned For All Time / Blood Money

Act Two

The Last Supper

Gethsemane

The Arrest

Peter’s Denial

Pilate and Christ / Herod’s Song

Could We Start Again, Please?

Judas’s Death

Trial by Pilate / 39 Lashes

Superstar

Crucifixion

John 19:41

Production Notes

Jesus Christ Superstar

Lyrics by Tim Rice
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Directed by Paul Hart

Cast

Starring:

Christian Edwards

Hazel Monaghan

Max Alexander-Taylor

Samuel Morgan-Grahame

Parisa Shahmir

Tasha Chu

Seb Harwood

Michael Kholwadia

Michali Dantes

Olugbenga Adelekan

Alexander Zane

Jordan Eskeisa

Maisie Mandley

Lily Françoise

Trisha Kumar

Alex Anthony Fevrier

Sebastian Hugo

Finan McKinney

Creatives

Director: Paul Hart

Choreographer: Anjali Mehra

Designer: David Woodhead

Musical Supervisor and Orchestrations: Stuart Morley

Lighting Designer:  Rory Beaton

Sound Designer: Tom Marshall

Video and Projection: Daniel Denton

Musical Director: Rebecca Kelly

Information

Running Time: Two hours including an interval

Booking until 21st September 2025

 

Theatre:

Watermill Theatre

Bagnor,

Newbury

RG20 8AE

Box Office: 01635 46044

Website: watermill.org.uk

Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge

at the Watermill Theatre

on 3rd July 2025

Michael Kholwadia as Jesus (Photo: Pamela Raith)